Method and apparatus to affect body-temperature regulation

ABSTRACT

Disrupting an ability to regulate core body temperature of a human includes a cooling device having various components, and the cooling device is controlled in various manners to remove heat from an anatomical region (e.g., distal extremity). The cooling device might be programmed to maintain a range of temperatures designed to affect an ability to regulate body temperature. In addition, the cooling device might be programmed to operate in cycles. By disrupting core-body-temperature regulation, biological rhythms (e.g., Circadian) can also be disrupted and sleep induction may be countered. Countering sleep incidents in an automobile driver might make it more difficult for the driver to fall asleep or become drowsy while driving.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a nonprovisional application that claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. application Ser. No. 61/552,491, which is a provisional application filed on Oct. 28, 2011, and is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of body-temperature regulation. For example, the present invention might be used to combat microsleep and macrosleep incidents in humans and to increase alertness in humans.

BACKGROUND

Humans are typically subject to natural Circadian rhythms, which often drive the onset of core body temperature changes that correspond to the onset of drowsiness and sleep. That is, certain core body temperature changes can facilitate relaxation and drowsiness and can assist with transitioning into a state of sleep.

Drowsy driving is a national health risk and encompasses various hazards ranging from slowed reaction time to completely falling asleep. These incidents account for a significant number of traffic fatalities. Countering sleep incidents of automobile drivers might include various strategies, such as disrupting the natural body rhythms that drive sleepiness.

SUMMARY

In brief, and at a high level, this disclosure describes, among other things, affecting body-temperature regulation of a human using a cooling device. The cooling device might be controlled in various manners to remove heat from various anatomical regions of the human. In addition, the cooling device might be programmed to maintain a range of temperatures designed to affect an ability to regulate body temperature.

Embodiments of the invention are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary provides an overview of the disclosure and introduces a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed-description section. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, which are incorporated herein by reference, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary cooling device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary computing environment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of select embodiments of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. But the description itself is not intended to define what is regarded as an invention; rather the claims define the invention. The claimed subject matter might be embodied in other ways to include different elements or combinations of elements similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps or elements herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly stated.

An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a device that provides a chilling effect, which is applied to a body of a human to disrupt an ability of the body to regulate core body temperature. Disrupting the ability to regulate core body temperature is intended to combat sleep incidents of various durations, including microsleep incidents, as well as sleep incidents that last longer in duration than microsleep incidents. As such, another embodiment of the present invention is directed to combating sleep incidents of a human driving an automobile by applying the chilling effect of the device to the body of the human. The chilling effect might be regulated or controlled to achieve a desired temperature, which has been found to combat sleep incidents.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a generic depiction of a cooling device 110 is illustrated. The generic depiction of FIG. 1 includes a schematic representation that is meant to convey the existence of certain elements, but not necessarily the arrangement, shape, or other characteristics of the elements. As such, a cooling device 110 might include other elements that are not depicted or might include elements arranged in a different manner. For example, although not explicitly depicted in FIG. 1, cooling device might include a cover that at least partially encases the components depicted in FIG. 1.

Cooling device 110 includes a chilling medium 112 that interacts with a thermoelectric component 114, which reduces a temperature of the chilling medium 112. In addition, cooling device 110 includes a fan 116 and heat sink 118, which dissipate heat from the thermoelectric component 114. Cooling device 110 further includes a controller 120 that regulates various operations of cooling device 110 and a power source 122 that provides power to various components of cooling device 110.

Chilling medium 112 might include one or more various medium types, such as a liquid medium, a gas medium, a solid medium, a chemical-mix medium, a gel medium, or a combination thereof. For example, chilling medium 112 might be air that is transported in an airflow. Also, chilling medium 112 might be a gel, liquid, or air that is contained within a chilling-medium enclosure, such as pouch. In one embodiment, chilling medium 112 includes a solid plate, such as a plastic wall. In another embodiment, chilling medium 112 is a cooler region of a solid-state thermoelectric component (e.g., 114)

Chilling medium 112 includes an external surface and an internal surface. An external surface is depicted in FIG. 1 and interacts with an environment outside of, and external to, chilling device 110. Examples of an external surface include an outward facing surface of a solid plate or of a pouch that face away from an inner compartment of cooling device 110. Other examples of an external surface might include gas or liquid particle that are transported away from cooling device, such as by way of blowing a gas or spraying a liquid.

An internal surface of chilling medium 12 (not expressly depicted in FIG. 1) generally opposes an external surface and interacts with an environment within the internal compartment of cooling device. For example, an internal surface might interact with thermoelectric component 114. Examples of an interior surface include an inward facing surface of a solid plate or pouch that opposes the external surface. The internal surface and external surface are coupled, thereby facilitating heat transfer between one another. For example, cooling of the internal surface might in turn cause the internal surface to draw heat from the external surface, thereby cooling the external surface.

In an embodiment of the present invention, chilling medium 112 includes a temperature. In addition, cooling device 110 may include one or more sensors that measure the temperature of chilling medium 112 and communicate the temperature measurement to controller 120.

Cooling device 110 also includes a thermoelectric component in communication with the chilling medium 112. In one embodiment, the thermoelectric component 114 leverages the Peltier effect to reduce the temperature of the chilling medium. For example, the thermoelectric component 114 might include a warmer region or side that generally opposes a cooler region or side. The operations of the thermoelectric component 114 cause heat to be transferred from the cooler region to the warmer region. In an embodiment of the invention, the cooler region communicates with, or is integrated with, the chilling medium. For example, the cooler region might be used to cool a fluid flow (e.g, airflow or misted liquid) or might be used to cool an internal surface of a plate. In addition, the cooler region and the chilling medium might comprise the same component, such that the cooler region is the chilling medium having an external surface. As such, the cooling effect imposed on the cooler region is transferred to the chilling medium 112. In one embodiment, thermoelectric component 114 is a solid-state thermoelectric chiller that leverage the Peltier effect.

Although not expressly depicted in FIG. 1, thermoelectric component 114 might also include one or more sensors that measure a temperature of the cooler region and the warmer region and that communicate the temperature measurement to controller 120.

Cooling device 110 also includes a heat sink 118 and a fan 118. In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooling fan 116 and heat sink 118 function to dissipate heat from the warmer region of the thermoelectric component 114. For example, the heat sink 118 might include a finned aluminum heat sink.

Cooling device 110 includes controller 120 that is programmed to regulate various operations of cooling device 110. In one embodiment, controller 110 includes a processor or microprocessor that is coupled with a computer-readable memory component. The computer-readable memory component stores information (e.g., computer-executable instructions) that is used and executed by the controller to regulate operations of cooling device 110.

Cooling device 110 also includes a power source 122, which provides power to various components. In one embodiment, power source 122 provides DC power. However, an AC power source might also be used together with an AC to DC converter. Power sources might include a disposable battery or a rechargeable battery. In addition, an automotive power point might be leveraged as a power source, such as a lighter port or a USB port. That is, an appropriate plug might be provided that is connected to cooling device 110 and that engages with a respective automotive power point.

Although not depicted in FIG. 1, cooling device 110 might also include a switch that controls power source 112. For example, the switch might be controlled automatically through being wired into the ignition start for the automobile. In addition, the switch might be a manual switch (e.g., single pole, double throw switch) that requires cooling device to be manually turned on or off. In another embodiment, a switch is controlled by an automobile drowsy-driving determiner. For example, controller 120 (or some other component of cooling device 110) might include an interface component that receives a notification from an automobile drowsy-driving determiner, indicating that drowsy driving has been detected. In response to the notification, various operations might be triggered. For example, power source might be triggered by the notification. In addition, an operation of the thermoelectric component might be triggered to reduce the temperature of the chilling medium.

Cooling device 110 might also include an attachment component (not shown in FIG. 1) that attaches the device to a body of a human. Examples of attachment components include a straps having buckles, snaps, hook-and-loop strips, and the like. In one embodiment an external surface of chilling medium 112 is positioned against a body surface of a human when the attachment component attaches the device to the body of the human.

In one embodiment, cooling device 110 is a type of computing device. For exemplary purposes, reference is made to FIG. 2 to describe a general computing device 210, and cooling device 110 might include some or all of the elements depicted in FIG. 2. Computing device 210 is but one example of a suitable computing environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of invention embodiments. Neither should the computing device 210 be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated.

Embodiments of the invention may be described in the general context of computer code or machine-useable instructions, including computer-executable instructions such as program modules, being executed by a computer or other machine, such as cooling device 110. Generally, program modules including routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., refer to code that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.

Computing device 210 includes a bus 212 that directly or indirectly couples the following devices: memory 214, one or more processors or microprocessors 216, input/output components 218, an illustrative power supply 220, sensors 222, and heat dissipater 224. Bus 210 represents what may be one or more busses. Although the various blocks of FIG. 2 are shown with lines for the sake of clarity, in reality, delineating various components is not so clear, and metaphorically, the lines would more accurately be grey and fuzzy. For example, one may consider a sensor 222 or heat dissipater 224, such as a heat sink 118 and fan 116, to be an I/O component 218. Also, processors have memory. We recognize that such is the nature of the art, and reiterate that the diagram of FIG. 2 is merely illustrative of an exemplary computing device that can be used in connection with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

Computing device 210 might include a variety of computer-readable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media may comprise computer storage media or communications media. Examples of computer storage media include Random Access Memory (RAM); Read Only Memory (ROM); Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM); flash memory or other memory technologies; CDROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical or holographic media; magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other storage medium that can be used to encode desired information and be accessed by computing device 210.

As such, an embodiment of the present invention is directed to a computer-readable storage memory having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a computing device, perform a method including various operations. Memory 214 includes computer-storage media in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory. The memory may be removable, nonremovable, or a combination thereof. Exemplary hardware devices include solid-state memory, hard drives, optical-disc drives, etc. Computing device 210 includes one or more processors that read data from various entities such as memory 214 or I/O components 218. For example, controller 120 (FIG. 1) might include a processor and memory, which stores data that dictates operations of cooling device 110.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in an embodiment of the present invention, controller 120 includes a computer memory device (e.g., 214) storing computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions, when executed, regulate the operation of the thermoelectric component. For example, the computer-executable instructions are programmed to maintain the temperature of the chilling medium within an optimal range of degrees. In an embodiment of the present invention, an optimal range of degrees include chilling-medium temperatures that disrupt an ability of a human to regulate core-body temperature when the chilling medium is in contact with the human. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the optimal range of degrees includes a range of about 35 degrees Fahrenheit to about 49 degrees Fahrenheit.

A chilling-medium temperature might be maintained in various manners. For example, in one embodiment controller 120 and other components of cooling device 110 execute steps that facilitate a method of maintaining a chilling-medium temperature. For example, controller 120 initiates or starts operations of cooling device 110. A temperature of the chilling medium is measured (e.g., by a sensor) at the chilling-medium origin, such as an interface between the chilling medium 112 and the thermoelectric component 114. As described in other portions of this description, the chilling-medium origin may include an internal surface of the chilling medium. In addition, another temperature is sensed at the external surface of the chilling medium 112.

The temperature reading at the chilling-medium origin and the temperature reading at the chilling-medium external surface are transmitted to the controller 120. Based on the temperatures, controller 120 determines an appropriate setting for the pulse width modulation (PWM) of the thermoelectric component 114. That is, the controller determines an appropriate PWM setting that is calculated to achieve an external-surface temperature within a range of about 35 degrees Fahrenheit to about 49 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, controller 120 initiates fan 116 and heat sink 118 to dissipate heat from thermoelectric component 114.

In a further embodiment controller 120 is programmed to maintain a cyclic operation of the thermoelectric component 114, heat sink 118, and fan 116. For example, the cyclic operations include an on state that lasts a first duration and an off state that lasts a second duration. In the on state, the PVM setting is maintained for the duration in order to achieve the desired external-surface temperature of the chilling medium. In the off state, the components of cooling device 110 may reset prior to the next on-state duration. For example, in the off state, temperatures measurements of the chilling medium might be sensed to determine if the PVM setting needs to be modified to achieve the desired external surface temperature of the chilling medium. In one embodiment, the first duration of the on date is about 30 seconds, and the second duration of the off state is about 0.5 seconds.

Controller 120 might perform other operations as well. For example, in one embodiment a comparator is used to compare the incoming chilled medium temperature against a sensor located at the lower leg. Using the formula:

${u(t)} = {{{Kpe}(t)} + {{Ki}{\int_{\tau = 0}^{t}{{e(t)}{T}}}} + {{Kd}{\frac{}{t}\left\lbrack {e(t)} \right\rbrack}}}$

where:

-   u(t) is the control signal; -   e(t) is the error signal; -   t is the continuous-time domain time variable; -   T is the calculus variable of integration; -   Kp is the proportional mode control gain; -   Ki is the integral mode control gain; and -   Kd is the derivative mode control gain.

Various studies were conducted to determine manners in which cooling device 110 might be controlled to effectively counter sleep incidents by disrupting an ability of a human body to regulate core body temperature. For example, EEG, ECG, EOG, lane-tracking, and behavior performance measures were used to evaluate the effect of the cooling device on improving driver alertness. That is, example of complementary measures that were used to test alertness include: body temperature changes, behavioral performance measures, subjective assessment of sleepiness and alertness; EEG physiological measures, and the like.

Testing confirmed that there is a relationship between core body temperature and the ability of a human body to experience a sleep incident that is disrupted by applying the cooling device. Tests showed that it was possible to chill specific areas of the body and disrupt the body's ability to regulate core temperature. Results of tests also indicate that by applying the cooling device to a human body, alertness levels can be increased. For example, 100% of test subjects showed a core body temperature shift as a result of the application of the cooling device. In addition, brain wave analysis via Electroencephalograph showed an increase in Beta brain waves, which supports corresponding increases in alertness reported by test subjects. As such, testing supports using the cooling device in a controlled manner (e.g., timing, temperature, etc.) as an effective means of disrupting core-body-temperature regulation and natural Circadian rhythms of the body that predispose humans to sleep.

Referring to FIG. 3, a flow diagram is provided that depicts a set of steps that are carried out in accordance with a method 310 of disrupting core-body-temperature regulation of a human. At least some of the steps depicted by FIG. 3 might be carried out using a computer storage memory storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the cooling device, perform the respective step. In describing method 310, reference might also be made to FIGS. 1 and 2.

Step 312 includes positioning a cooling device 110 on a distal extremity of a body of a human. In one embodiment, cooling device 110 is fixed onto a leg of a human body. In a further embodiment, cooling device 110 is strapped onto the leg of human body, such that an external surface of chilling medium 112 is positioned against a surface of the shin portion of the leg. As such, a position of the cooling device relative to the leg is between about three inches above an ankle of the leg and about two inches below a knee of the leg. In a further embodiment, the human is operating an automobile.

In step 314, power is provided to the cooling device 110 by power source 122. For example, a switch may be integrated with an ignition of the automobile, such that power is provided to the cooling device when the ignition is started. In addition, or alternatively, a manual switch may be provided that is engaged to manually turn cooling device 110 on and off.

At step 316, controller 120 initiates or starts operations of cooling device 110. Step 318 includes sensing a temperature of the chilling-medium origin and a temperature of the external surface of the chilling medium 112, the temperatures being transmitted to the controller 120.

At step 320, controller 120 determines an appropriate PWM setting that is calculated to achieve an external-surface temperature within a range of about 35 degrees Fahrenheit to about 49 degrees Fahrenheit. Step 322 includes operating the thermoelectric component 114 and heat dissipation component (e.g., fan and heat sink) consistent with the PWM setting for a first time duration (i.e., an on state). Step 324 includes switching to an off state for a second duration of time during which components of cooling device 110 might be reset. As indicated in other portions of this description, in one embodiment the first time duration of the on state is about 30 seconds and the second duration of the off state is about 0.5 seconds. Arrow 326 indicates the cyclical nature of certain steps included in method 310 as the cooling device is used for a time duration. Each time the PWM setting might be based on subsequent temperatures of the chilling medium that are sensed.

Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the scope of the claims below. Embodiments of our technology have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this disclosure after and because of reading it. Alternative means of implementing the aforementioned can be completed without departing from the scope of the claims below. Certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. 

Claimed are:
 1. A cooling device for affecting core-body-temperature regulation of a human, the device comprising: a chilling medium that includes a temperature; a thermoelectric component in communication with the chilling medium, wherein the thermoelectric component reduces the temperature of the chilling medium; a controller programmed to regulate an operation of the thermoelectric component; a power source that provides power to the thermoelectric component and the controller; and an attachment component that attaches the device to a body of the human.
 2. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein the chilling medium includes solid state that has an external surface, which faces outward from the cooling device, and that has an internal surface that communicates with the thermoelectric component.
 3. The cooling device of claim 2, wherein the external surface is positioned against a body surface of the human when the attachment component attaches the device to the body of the human.
 4. The cooling device of claim 1 further comprising, a heat-dissipation component that removes heat from the thermoelectric component.
 5. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein the controller includes a computer memory device storing computer-executable instructions, and wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed, regulate the operation of the thermoelectric component.
 6. The cooling device of claim 5, wherein the computer-executable instructions are programmed to maintain the temperature of the chilling medium within a range of degrees from about 35 degrees Fahrenheit to about 49 degrees Fahrenheit.
 7. The cooling device of claim 5, wherein the computer-executable instructions are programmed to maintain a cyclic operation of the thermoelectric component, and wherein the cyclic operations includes an on state that lasts a first duration of about 30 seconds and an off state that lasts a second duration of about 0.5 seconds.
 8. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein the controller includes an interface component that receives a notification from an automobile drowsy-driving determiner, and wherein the controller modifies the operation of the thermoelectric component to reduce the temperature of the chilling medium when the notification is received.
 9. A cooling device for affecting core-body-temperature regulation of a human, the device comprising: a solid-state chilling medium having an external surface that faces outward from the cooling device and an inward surface that generally opposes the external surface; a sensor that measures a temperature of the external surface; a thermoelectric component in communication with the inward surface of the solid-state chilling medium, wherein the thermoelectric component modifies the temperature of the chilling medium; a controller programmed to regulate an operation of the thermoelectric component, wherein the controller receives a temperature reading from the sensor; and an attachment mechanism that attaches the device to a body of the human to position the outward surface against a body surface of the human when the attachment mechanism attaches the device to the body of the human.
 10. The cooling device of claim 9 further comprising a switch that controls an operational state of the cooling device, wherein the operational state is changeable between an on state and an off state.
 11. The cooling device of claim 10, wherein the switch is in communication with an ignition of an automobile, and wherein the operational state is in the on state when the ignition is started and is in the off state when the ignition is stopped.
 12. The cooling device of claim 9, wherein the attachment mechanism attaches the device to a distal extremity of the human and orients the outward surface against a surface of the distal extremity.
 13. The cooling device of claim 12, wherein the distal extremity comprises a leg of the human and the surface of the distal extremity comprises a shin surface of the leg.
 14. The cooling device of claim 13, wherein the attachment mechanism orients the outward surface at a position of the shin that is within a range of about three inches above an ankle region of the leg and about two inches below a knee of the leg.
 15. The cooling device of claim 9 further comprising, a heat sink and a fan, wherein the fan blows an air across the thermoelectric component and through the heat sink to dissipate heat from the thermoelectric component.
 16. The cooling device of claim 9, wherein the controller includes a computer memory device storing computer-executable instructions, and wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed, regulate the operation of the thermoelectric component.
 17. The cooling device of claim 16, wherein the computer-executable instructions are programmed to maintain the temperature of the external surface within a range of degrees from about 35 degrees Fahrenheit to about 49 degrees Fahrenheit.
 18. The cooling device of claim 16, wherein the computer-executable instructions are programmed to maintain a cyclic operation of the thermoelectric component, and wherein the cyclic operations includes an on state that lasts a first duration of about 30 seconds and an off state that lasts a second duration of about 0.5 seconds.
 19. Computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed, perform a method of controlling an operation of a cooling device for affecting core-body-temperature regulation of a human, the method comprising: receiving from a sensor a first temperature measurement that indicates a temperature of a cooling medium; comparing the first temperature measurement to a range of degrees from about 35 degrees Fahrenheit to about 49 degrees Fahrenheit to determine that the first temperature is not included in the range of degrees; and sending an instruction to a thermoelectric component, which is in communication with the cooling medium, to modify an operation of the thermoelectric component in a manner that changes the first temperature measurement to a second temperature measurement, which is included in the range of degrees.
 20. The computer-readable media of claim 19, wherein the method further comprises: sending the thermoelectric component a first instruction prompting the thermoelectric component to operate in an on state, and sending the thermoelectric component a second instruction prompting the thermoelectric component to operate in an off state, wherein the on state lasts for a duration of about thirty seconds and the off state lasts for a duration of about 0.5 seconds. 